Good Questions: Pillow Top Rumors True?

My partner and I are replacing the mattress we bought for $200 seven years ago, when we first moved in together. Needless to say, at this point anything is an upgrade.

We're wondering, however, about the rumors we've heard concerning pillow top mattresses. Both of us like the firmer pillowtops we've tried at the store, and particularly adore the Heavenly Bed (pictured) at the Westin Hotel. But we've heard that pillowtops are prone to become lumpy and form depressions after only a few years, and durability is important to us...

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The other option we're considering is a regular firm mattress with a feather bed (which we've also never had). We're wondering whether you and the AT readers have an opinion on these two options and/or experiences with either. (G-rated experiences that is - I may blush at anything racier than PG-13!)

Although we don't know about Pillow Top durability, we do know that our feather bed was a great investment and has been quite durable over the past three years. The nice thing about a regular firm mattress is that is DOES allow you to switch the top from time to time. You can even get a memory foam topper if you like.